Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco

Did you know that August is #NationalMakeAWillMonth? Celebrate by creating your will for free thanks to ECS’ partnership with Giving Docs. In a matter of minutes, you’ll be able to quickly write your will and other meaningful plans from the comfort of your home. By including Episcopal Community Services in your estate plans, you will join our generous community of supporters in bringing about lasting access to critical pathways out of homelessness. Don’t wait—create your legacy today! https://loom.ly/E5CxqXA

ECS strongly supports Congressman Adam Schiff's Mail Accessibility and Inclusion for Low-Income Families (MAIL) Act. Many of life’s most important events—whether it be applying for housing, accessing vital health care documents, or receiving that long awaited job offer letter—take place through a physical mailing address, which can serve as a barrier for people experiencing homelessness. If passed, the MAIL Act will provide free access to mailboxes for unhoused neighbors, bringing them miles closer to long-term stability and the ability to reach their goals. 👇 Read more in the Pasadena News article https://loom.ly/GinB5jM

We're thrilled to share coverage by the Marin Independent Journal of StART Marin, a pilot art program designed to improve mental health and boost community for formerly chronically unhoused residents at our permanent supportive housing site in Larkspur. “Steve Bajor, who grew up in Mill Valley, developed the pilot art program to address another important aspect of housing people: quality of life. While there is a fair amount of funding and resources in Marin County for housing, Bajor said community programming within housing sites can be harder to come by.” Programs such as StART Marin are critical in helping residents with lived experience heal from the trauma of homelessness while building community. ECS is grateful for the support of Steve Bajor, the Rotary Club of Mill Valley and partners like Rileysteet Art Supply who help make this programming possible. Read the full article at https://loom.ly/V7J0PVI If you’d like to support wellness programming in ECS’ permanent supportive housing sites, please check out https://loom.ly/zYP4aIs

As #NationalCulinaryArtsMonth comes to a close, ECS would like to honor Chef Jonnatan Leiva, Program Manager for our CHEFS program. Chef Leiva, a Chronicle Rising Star Chef honoree, has trained with top chefs in Paris, New York, and throughout the Bay Area. He was the executive chef at Jack Falstaff restaurant in San Francisco, was a guest chef at the James Beard Foundation Dinner, and worked with high-profile restaurants in New York and the Bay Area. Leiva has also appeared on ABC’s View from the Bay, Food Network Challenge, and Iron Chef America. As Program Manager for CHEFS, Chef Leiva plays a pivotal role in helping CHEFS participants master technical kitchen skills and create culinary works of art as they work to achieve long-term employment in the field. “I believe that as cooks and chefs, our emotions and energy play an integral role when building dishes. Food as in life is about the joy and all that it has to offer.”

Congratulations to our most recent cohort of CHEFS students! 8 graduates celebrated their achievements in developing technical kitchen skills while completing 10 weeks of rigorous and hands-on training and earning their Food Safety Certification from the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Following successful completion of the program, graduates will receive work placement support for exciting opportunities in the culinary field. We can’t see all that they’ll accomplish in their careers! This #NationalCulinaryArtsMonth, celebrate our CHEFS students’ achievements by making a gift. A month to honor dedicated chefs and kitchen professionals, your gift will support future culinary stars as they journey into the culinary field. Support CHEFS 👉 https://loom.ly/zYP4aIs

Congratulations to TNDC, San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Cardea Health on the launch of an exciting new pilot program! The program increases healthcare accessibility for residents of TNDC's Kelly Cullen Community, a single room occupancy hotel in the Tenderloin, by providing at-home care services to people who’ve experienced chronic homelessness and need significant medical support. Tailored programs such as this pilot are instrumental in improving health outcomes and quality of life for our formerly chronically unhoused neighbors. https://loom.ly/bPzokFQ

What a fantastic day at the summer BBQ hosted at the Henry Hotel! Residents enjoyed great food and amazing company. Thank you to the residents and staff who helped make this community event a memorable one!

Meet Sidney Stone, ECS’ new Interim Director of Housing Development! Sidney brings 18 years of experience in affordable housing development, split evenly between the public and private sector. Most recently Vice President of Real Estate Development of Christian Church Homes, Sidney has participated in the development of more than 40 affordable housing developments. In the public sector, Sidney was Housing Manager for the cities of Morgan Hill and Huntington Beach after obtaining his Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from University of California Irvine. Having grown up in subsidized housing, Sidney is passionate about housing as a human right. Sidney is excited to collaborate with such a mission driven team.

“Romanowsky, who said he was the longest-living anchor-out, is 75 and has arthritis in his back. Romanowsky said a defining factor in changing his mind about the program was mindset: It’s a trade, or relocation, not welfare….Additionally, he said the case workers were pivotal in his decision. Previously, he refused to even talk to harbormasters or agency representatives.” Long-term affordable housing is key to preventing and ending homelessness. Our frontline staff play a crucial role in helping those with lived experience access housing support like vouchers. We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated caseworkers and service staff who make a difference every day in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. ECS is honored to work alongside Richardson Bay Regional Agency to support housing stability for former anchor-out residents in Marin County. Thanks to the Marin Independent Journal for covering this impactful program. https://loom.ly/D3W2sIg

Homelessness can happen to anyone. Yet, our unhoused neighbors are often vilified and subject to stigma due to widespread misinformation about the causes of homelessness. It is absolutely crucial to educate ourselves and others about the realities of housing insecurity and the vulnerability of people experiencing it. By understanding the complexities of homelessness and pushing back against inaccurate stereotypes, we can bring our communities one step closer to leading with compassion and implementing solutions that create housing for all. https://loom.ly/5iAcGyI